Chapter 5. A Hard Day's Sudden Misfortune (4)

"Wait!"

At the woman's shout, Anghua hesitated.

Tian Xiazhen scratched his ear.

"You have a good voice."

The woman, who had suddenly stood up, looked extremely cold.

"What are you doing?"

"What?"

"What are you doing!"

"Can't you see what I'm doing, you bandit girl?"

"Hey, Third Young Master!"

"Hey, and I'm really asking because I don't know."

Tian Xiazhen tilted his head.

"Are you perhaps a disciple of the Sect Leader like me?"

Though he asked out of genuine curiosity, it only sounded like mockery to the woman.

The woman's face turned red. She couldn't control her expression at all.

"No? Yeah, I thought so. But you're threatening me and shouting at me in person."

"Hey."

"Are you of a higher status than me?"

Tian Xiazhen turned to Anghua.

"Anghua, is this woman of a higher status than me?"

"No, she isn't."

"Ah! That's right. You might know. Who is this woman?"

Anghua glanced at the guards.

Tian Xiazhen glared.

"Why are you looking at these guys? Answer quickly."

"Yes, yes!"

Anghua gave a brief explanation.

The woman's name is Hong Yelin (紅麗璘).

She is a demoness working in the Huanxi Yuan (歡喜院) of the current internal conflict in the New Sect, and is the daughter of the Chisha Family (赤蛇家) among the Seven Great Demon Families.

Though young, she is called a rising star due to her strength, and is recognized as a capable woman in the demon martial world.

And most importantly.

"Oh, really? You're the sister of a fellow disciple?"

"Yes."

"So that's why you were barking at me. You have a reliable backer."

The woman, Hong Yelin, grimaced.

A reliable backer? The Third Young Master was insulting her and her brother despite knowing their tense relationship.

Tian Xiazhen waved his hand. It was a gesture that exuded endless annoyance and laziness.

"Even if it looks a bit strange, it's fine. We're family, so I'll understand. I don't want things to get bigger either."

"..."

"Leave. And don't come back. Got it?"

I won't be here if you come back anyway.

Tian Xiazhen laughed sinisterly. The thought of finally escaping this place made his neck tingle.

'You...!'

Hong Yelin's cheeks trembled uncontrollably. It was already hard to endure the insults, but now he was openly mocking her.

"...Alright."

Her expression had vanished.

When anger reached its peak, a cold wind blew across her calm face.

"Since you're giving me this, it's actually a good thing."

"Go well."

"Before I go, just one more thing."

"What now?"

She took out two elegant pieces of paper from her bosom.

"It's a contract with our seals (手決)."

A contract?

"Do you remember? If either of us breaks the contract first, or creates a situation where it can't be kept, the penalty is tripled."

"Hmm?"

"The elixirs I've invested in you, Third Young Master, amount to nearly a thousand taels of gold. Including other financial support, it's a bit over two thousand taels. Out of consideration for our relationship, I'll waive the interest."

"...?!"

"Three thousand taels of gold. Pay it now. If you can't, write a promissory note. Then I'll leave quietly."

Elixirs? Financial support?

No, how could a disciple of the Sect Leader receive elixirs and financial support from a fellow disciple's relative? What kind of dramatic story is this?

'I've never heard of this.'

Tian Xiazhen looked at Anghua.

Anghua shook her head, frozen, showing she had no idea.

'Heavens! Three thousand taels? Three thousand taels?!!'

Three thousand taels of gold.

Converted to silver, it's sixty thousand taels. Sixty thousand taels of silver is an astronomical amount, equivalent to the annual budget of a major sect.

To demand such a huge sum right now? If not, write a promissory note?

Oh, come on!

"Alright, let's write the promissory note."

"......What?"

"If you can't pay now, write a promissory note, right? Anghua! Prepare the writing materials."

Hong Yelin was the one who was flustered by his nonchalant attitude.

"Write a promissory note? Really?"

"Write it, you girl."

His tone was brusque. Hong Yelin felt dazed.

'He's really going to write it?'

A promissory note is not something to be written lightly. The higher one's social status, the more cautious one must be.

The issue isn't whether the promise is kept, but the mere fact of writing a promissory note can cause controversy.

If word got out that Hong Yelin wrote a promissory note with the Third Young Master, public attention would inevitably focus on the Third Young Master.

Public attention is a double-edged sword.

If it's just curiosity, it's fine, but if it turns to suspicion, the target will be trapped in invisible bars.

For someone of the Third Young Master's status, those bars would be a tremendous pressure.

'Really?'

Xiliang might not be very smart, but he knows the situation and can read the flow.

He naturally assumed the Third Young Master wouldn't write a promissory note. That's why Hong Yelin put it as an option.

It's the best way to pressure the opponent and gain the upper hand.

But he's going to write it. And he looks completely unfazed.

"Are you really going to write it?"

"Are you deaf?"

"Really going to write it?"

"Will you let me?"

His nose twitched uncontrollably.

Tian Xiazhen inwardly sneered.

'Why wouldn't I write it?'

He has over thirty years of experience in the martial world. He wouldn't fall for this little bandit girl's shallow scheme.

So what? What can she do?

Once he escapes, the promissory note will be null and void. He's a thorough individualist, with no interest in fame or power.

Besides, the original owner of this body was needlessly cruel, often killing subordinates. He doesn't care about this kind of face.

"Master, the writing materials are ready."

"Good job."

Tian Xiazhen ground the ink and asked.

"How about writing that I'll pay in about four months?"

"......"

"Why no answer? Too long? Even for three thousand taels of gold, giving four months seems fair, doesn't it?"

You never know what might happen. Four months is the minimum insurance to prepare for any unforeseen events.

Hong Yelin's expression changed several times.

But only for a moment.

"......Alright. Write it."

"Alright."

Tian Xiazhen hummed as he wrote.

Hong Yelin, looking confused at the promissory note, suddenly blinked.

"What are you doing?"

"Writing the promissory note."

"......"

"Don't talk. I'm busy."

Hong Yelin was speechless.

"Do you think changing your handwriting will make it invalid?"

Handwriting? Ah!

'Right.'

His handwriting and Xiliang's would be different.

But so what?

"Anyway, I'll put my seal on it. Don't nitpick over trivial things."

"......"

"Let's see, since the Spring Festival is in four months, I'll write that I'll pay by the end of the year. Is that fine?"

"No."

"Three months? Then that's fine."

"Whether it's three or four months doesn't matter. That's not the point."

"Damn, if you have something to say, just say it. What are you doing, testing the waters?"

His tone was full of irritation, showing no consideration for the other party. Hong Yelin took a deep breath.

Calm down. Losing your temper here means losing.

"The amount needs to be corrected."

"Make it cheaper? Then thank you."

"I need to raise it to ten thousand taels."

The brush stopped.

"Ten thousand taels?"

"Yes, ten thousand taels."

"Are you kidding? Why did six thousand taels suddenly become ten thousand taels?"

"I need compensation for emotional distress."

Tian Xiazhen frowned.

"What kind of nonsense is this?"

"Ten thousand taels."

"What?"

"The contract is fully terminated when the payment is complete. Until then, as a party to the contract, you must maintain your dignity."

"Dignity and all that, but how can you raise it by five thousand taels just for a few words?"

"It has to be raised."

Hong Yelin's eyes were now filled with clear hostility.

"Insulting me is insulting the Chisha Family.

The Third Young Master treated the daughter of the Chisha Family, a branch of the New Sect, as a bandit and insulted her in person.

What will happen if this fact gets out?"

She turned the personal insult into an insult to her family.

In other words, she was inflating a personal issue into a conflict between factions, drawing a line in the sand on their secret contract.

From now on, it's not about money or a better future, but a matter of pride.

"What will happen? I don't know."

"There will be many complications, but it's certain that the Third Young Master will have unnecessary worries.

When the smell of blood is in the air, hungry dogs will follow."

"Did anyone see the insults?"

"Yes. Those two."

Referring to the guards she brought.

Hong Yelin went further.

"Or, everyone in the main house might have seen it."

"You're out of your mind."

"I'll raise it to twelve thousand taels. And it's better not to ignore my words.

If the main house decides to, spreading rumors is not difficult."

"Can you turn lies into truth?"

"More accurately, I can give strength to the truth. A little lie can be added, but that's up to us."

Hong Yelin smiled.

Her eyes were filled with hostility, but her expression was calm.

"If you don't like it, change it to twelve thousand taels and put your seal on it. I'm telling you in advance, there will be no further discounts."

"......"

"What? Hurry up and put your seal on it. Didn't you say you have to go? You looked very busy."

Tian Xiazhen stared at Hong Yelin silently.

Hong Yelin's smile deepened.

'How dare you, a useless man!'

She supported him with elixirs and money to make him a red horse.

She was inferior to her brother in martial talent, seniority, and age.

But her ambition far exceeded her brother's.

Unable to become the Sect Leader due to her gender and lack of talent,

she at least wanted to reach the position of second only to the Sect Leader.

She once considered a political marriage with the Third Young Master, but that idea is gone now.

A red horse who has fallen into madness and lost even the minimum dignity is no longer needed.

Unfortunately, she has to multiply the investment and find another red horse.

The triumphant Hong Yelin and the glaring Tian Xiazhen.

Hong Yelin thought Tian Xiazhen was flustered, but he was actually lost in thought.

'...Right, that's it.'

Escape from the hellish demon sect. Build a peaceful life for myself.

That was his thought.

But he just realized something. Or rather, he remembered something he had forgotten.

'Life is an equal exchange.'

Escaping the demon sect is not an easy task.

But he had underestimated it. He thought a little effort and a little effort would be enough to escape easily.

He was wrong. It was just an overly optimistic view.

'It shouldn't be like this.'

Four months of insurance? It will be fine somehow?

This is the headquarters of the demon martial world, known for its brutality.

Even with endless caution, he had taken the situation too lightly.

'Ultimately, I'm still living in the martial world.'

And in the martial world, you can't achieve your goals without risking your life.

Scribble, scribble, scribble.

Tian Xiazhen changed the amount on the promissory note to twelve thousand taels.

Hong Yelin smiled.

"Give it to me."

"I won't."

"......What?"

Tian Xiazhen gently rolled the paper.

Hong Yelin frowned.

"Hey, Third Young Master."

"Anghua."

"Yes, Master!"

"Go and call the head of the guard."

Anghua left without a word or question, tense from the suffocating atmosphere.

A moment later, the head of the guard entered.

"Invincible in the New Sect, the Ten Thousand Horses Bow. I greet the Third Young Master. Why have you summoned me?"

"Prepare a carriage. I have a place to go."

"Third Young Master, with all due respect, your current condition..."

"I'm going to the Sect Leader's hall."

"......What?!"

"Prepare the carriage and inform the Sect Leader's hall. Tell them the Third Young Master wishes to see the Master."

The atmosphere in the room turned cold.

"Calling for parents? Good. I don't have parents, so I'll call the Master. After all, the ruler, teacher, and father are one (君師父一體)."

I've endured for three months, sick and tired.

I won't just test the waters anymore. I'll go to the heart of this hellish demon sect and put everything on the line.

I'm not annoyed by Hong Yelin anymore.

I'm grateful. Thanks to this bandit girl, I've fully realized how brutal this place is.

To find my freedom, I have to put up the right stakes.

I'll reclaim my rights in front of the most powerful person in this place.

"What are you doing? Inform the Chisha Family too. We'll see whose voice is louder in the Sect Leader's hall."

Hong Yelin's face turned extremely pale.